Elmwood Newsletter 12-07-2016

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Elmwood Nebraska News

Christmas is Coming, the Goose is Getting Fat...

TrinityAdvent 1216 Who knows the ending of that Christmas carol?

Yes, I know I'm just a little bit silly, but I LOVE Christmas, the Christmas Carols and everything associated with the Holidays.

I love picking out my live Christmas tree, cutting it down and yes, even watering and picking up the needles months later as they migrate across the house.

We have family traditions I look forward to every year. My Christmas season starts with playing the piano for Wednesday evening service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Murdock. It starts at 7:00 every Wednesday in until Christmas. Maybe I will see you there?

What family traditions do you have? Do you visit Santa? Cut down a live tree? Drive around looking at Christmas lights? Or maybe you visit a live nativity set?

Well, I would LOVE to hear and SEE your Christmas traditions. Maybe you'll find some new traditions in the Elmwood area to start.

Journey Into Christmas Continues

T BessStreeterAldrich Christmastree 2016 his year, volunteer decorators have donned 12 rooms/areas of the house with yuletide décor’ to remind visitors of Aldrich’s short story “Star Across the Tracks.”

According to tour information, the story “reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas and ends the story with, ‘Because there was no room for Him in the inn.’”

This ending line inspired decorators to place more than 20 nativity scenes through the house. Guests are challenged to use a reporting form and indicate the owner of each set in the appropriate blank.

Completed forms are put into a drawing. The winner will receive a free copy of Aldrich’s “Journey Into Christmas.”

Dougherty Christmas Tree Farm in Alvo decorated the porch room with a Douglas fir tree.

The sunroom features a tree decorated by Randy Van Dyne in Plattsmouth. Van Dyne has decorated this room for many years. This year she adorned the tree with a light layer of fake snow and delicate origami cranes, symbolizing hope for peace.

BessStreeterAldrich Nativity2 2016

Many groups in the area contributed decorated trees including the children of the Elmwood Christian Sunday School, Elmwood-Murdock 4th graders, and Elmwood Cub Scout Pack 260.

BessStreeterAldrich Christmastree2 2016

Journey into Christmas at the Bess Streeter Aldrich House was featured in the Plattsmouth newspaper. You can read it here.

The Aldrich House will be open every Saturday and Sunday during the month of December.

Open 2:00 - 5:00 pm

December 10-11

December 17-18

Elmwood Inspired 2

Living Nativity

Elmwood Community Center

THURSDAY, December 8th

Come for lunch, stay to sing your favorite Christmas carols after lunch.

Nina Jean Rohlfs of Unadilla will play her Keyboard to accompany our songs.

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Friday, December 9th 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Community Center's "OPEN HOUSE" from 11am. to 1 p.m.

Everyone is invited to share food and fellowship, in appreciation for supporting our daily noon meals and other activities.

martial arts 291046 960 720 Tai Chi exercise classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. This event is sponsored by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.

Elmwood-Murdock School News

One of my favorite Traditions is attending the Elmwood-Murdock School Winter Programs. If you have never attended the Junior High/High School Winter concert in Murdock you are REALLY missing out.

Thursday 12/8 - Elementary Program 7 PM

Thursday 12/15 - Jr/Sr High Winter Concert 7 PM

Doesn't this just put you into the Christmas spirit?

Mr. Hanson and Mrs. Colbert put together a professional level concert and the level of student talent will put you in the Christmas and Holiday spirit. My kids were in high school choir and I LOVE listening to the Elmwood-Murdock choir and band.

Enjoy the video and make sure to check back later this month for video from the 2016 Winter Concert.

Student of the Week Selection 120716

It is time for the Elmwood boys and girls basketball to start and Jim Rust also provides video coverage of both home games. You can watch it below or by clicking on Jim Rust's Vimeo Channel

E-M BBB @ Lourdes 12-3-16 from Jim Rust on Vimeo.

Girls EM 46 Lourdes CC 43
Boys EM 52 Lourdes CC 51

Both teams receive 1st Place in the Lourdes Booster Tournament. The Girls will be back in action Tuesday Night December 6, 2016 at Murdock against Louisville and the Boys will be back in action next Friday Night December 9th as both teams head to Ashland.

Great Job to Both Teams and Safe Travels Back Home.

If you have photos of any of the games, pep rallys, road trips, cheering sections or ANYTHING school related please send it to me on editor@elmwoodnebraska.com by Sunday night.

Community News

Round the Bend Steakhouse partners with Marine Corps League and Marine Corps League Auxiliary to raise gifts for military children.

16SgtKringleTree 6

Every veteran that has selflessly served our nation deserves to treat his or her children with gifts on Christmas morning.

However, many veterans live without the means to provide Christmas gifts to their families.

Round the Bend Steakhouse is excited to announce SGT Kringles Kids, an initiative to provide children of military veterans in need with gifts this holiday season.

Through a partnership with the Marine Corps League (MCL) and the Marine Corps League Auxiliary (MCLA), all gifts brought to Round the Bend Steakhouse will be directly donated to disadvantaged children of veterans, so that every military family may enjoy the Christmas they deserve.

Now through Dec 16, visitors to Round the Bend Steakhouse are encouraged to bring an unwrapped and new toy to place under the Christmas tree in the dining room.

As a show of gratitude, SGT Kringles Kids participants will receive a free appetizer.

“For us there are two reasons for our freedom, Jesus and the American soldier.

We are excited to show the love of Jesus to our soldiers’ kids by putting them first this Christmas,” said TJ & Tifini Olson, owners of Round the Bend Steakhouse.

Toy Suggestions (children 12 & under):
• Books
• Puzzles
• Art supplies
• Board games

About the Marine Corps League (MCL):
Founded in 1923, the MCL is the only Federally Chartered Marine Corps related veterans organization in the country.

Its mission statement states that the League exists to “join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps . . .”

About the Marine Corps League Auxiliary (MCLA):
Founded in 1937 as a subsidiary to the MCL, the Auxiliary was formed “for the purposes of promoting the interests of the U. S. Marine Corps, the Marine Corps League and to protect and advance the welfare of Marines and their dependents.

Auxiliary members participate in a wide variety of programs that benefit and preserve the fundamental rights and freedoms of every person of this Nation, young and old.”

For more information about SGT Kringles Kids, the Marine Corps League, the Marine Corps League Auxiliary, or Round the Bend Steakhouse, please contact TJ Olson at 402-944-9974 or tj@roundthebendsteakhouse.com

Oxbow EmploymentOpp Productiom

Knoll jobs

Area and Community News

The Lofte Theater

“Twas the Night Before Christmas” at Lofte Theatre

Manley, NE [November 22, 2016] - The Lofte Community Theatre near Manley is ready to help get you into the holiday spirit. Their December production, “Twas the Night Before Christmas” opens on Saturday, December 3 at 7:30pm.

“Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” But, wait! A mouse is stirring - because Santa missed his house last year. Before you can say, “Merry Christmas!” we’re off on the wild adventures of a mouse, an elf and a spunky little girl who just won’t take, “No,” for an answer.

This script is a modern-day treatment of the traditional 19th-century classic tale. Together a mouse named Amos and his human friend, Emily embark upon a journey to visit Santa Claus. Directed by Kevin Colbert, this energetic holiday tale will see the characters engage in a sword fight, a squirt gun battle and a perilous airplane ride. This show is specifically styled to appeal to our younger audience members, but children of all ages will enjoy this holiday romp.

Amos the mouse is played by Lofte newcomer Austin J. Brady of Lincoln. His human friend Emily is played by Shakeida Bullis of Bellevue. Rounding out the cast of colorful characters are Greg Leger and Doug Rothgeb of Omaha and Keri Hogue of Elmwood.

In coordination with this production, the Lofte is holding a special fundraiser where children of all ages can meet Santa and the rest of the cast. You will have the opportunity to eat a catered lunch right on stage, visit with Santa and even get your picture taken with the Jolly Old Elf himself. This special luncheon is being held at noon prior to our three Sunday matinees. Advance reservations are required. This would be a great multi-generational family event or company outing. Tickets to the luncheon are just $20.

Production dates for the show are December 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18. All seats are just $19. Those interested can call the Lofte box office at 402.234.2553 for reservations.

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Front row, Greg Leger and Doug Rothgeb. Back row Keri Hogue, Austin J. Brady and Shakeida Bullis.

2016 12 07 NEHAWKA BAR and GRILL w Lucas Minor the Country Mile

Cass County CASA Advocates Needed!

Cass Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is currently recruiting CASA advocates to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children in Cass County. The next training session is scheduled for January 2017 for five weeks. We are also seeking male volunteers as more than 60% of our children are male.

What does a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer do? Each CASA volunteer is screened, trained and completes 30 hours of pre-service training. The training consists of 15 hours of online training and 15 hours of in-person training.

Once trained, CASA volunteers are assigned under the Juvenile Court jurisdiction to speak on behalf of a child to ensure the needs and interests of abused and neglected children are being met.

Who are CASA volunteers? Our active volunteers are individuals from our community who work part-time, full-time or are retired. Volunteers commit to one year with a child, but seldom leave a case until it has been terminated.

Please call Debbie Green, Volunteer Coordinator at (402) 296-9521 or email dgreen@casscasa.org<;/span> and become a CASA volunteer today. If you would like to learn more information about our program, visit our website at www.casscasa.org